TORONTO -- This is where the scouting reports jump ahead of the statistics.

With a fastball that averages 95 mph and touches 100 mph, a vicious slider and a changeup that he's still learning how use, Rubby De La Rosa has a high ceiling as a starting pitcher. It's why the Boston Red Sox were so excited to acquire him as part of the blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 and why they gave him a spot in the rotation while sending Brandon Workman back to Triple-A Pawtucket this season.

He has a 2.64 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings over seven starts with the Red Sox, impressive numbers for a 25-year-old rookie.

Everything points to a big career.

"He’s got all the abilities to be a top-of-the-rotation type of pitcher," manager John Farrell said. "And through performance, consistent performance, that should play out. He’s in a pretty good place right now."

While Jon Lester could be a free agent at the end of the season, Jake Peavy might be gone before that and John Lackey has just one year left on his contract, the Red Sox will soon be turning their starting rotation over to the young guys.

It wouldn't be foolish to to envision De La Rosa as an opening day starter at Fenway Park in a few years.

Since having Tommy John surgery in 2011, the right-hander has had a bumpy path back to dominance. He even spent some time as a reliever in Triple-A Pawtucket last season. But this spring the Red Sox noticed drastic improvement and wanted to see what De La Rosa could do as a starter.

"He’s gone through some adversity with healthy and surgery and I’m sure he appreciates the game that much more now that he’s back to pitching to full capacity," Farrell said. "The one thing that’s clearly stood out is through his adversity he’s learned more about himself. He projects a great mound presence right now, one that’s confident. And his overall pitch mix and usage matches the confidence he shows with his body language."

De La Rosa has yet to have a start that has matched the dominance of his first one this season, when he struck out eight over seven scoreless innings, but he's been learning to adapt. Thorough scouting reports can make any pitcher predictable.

"I think what he’s become aware of is how quick advanced scouting reports can get around and I think there is more awareness to how hitters are addressing his stuff on a given night," Farrell said. "What he shows is a readiness to adjust based on what other teams are doing against him."